880

HISTORY OF THE ORPHAN BRIGADE.

but when the battle was done, and infantry and artillery could rest in camp or bivouac, there was still duty for it to do on front or wings   to pursue or to guard against surprise.

Those witty (or witless) fellows who occasionally offered rewards for a dead cavalryman (palming off as new a joke which was perhaps hoary with age before Columbus discovered America), doubtless had in mind some unreliable riders who had at some time allowed the enemy to come upon them before they could buckle on armor or shoulder gun. The First Kentucky Cavalry left its dead in every State where it was called to go   on battlefields, on route of a raiding force, on skirmish line, in rear of retreating armies, on lonely outposts, and in prison where they were sometimes wantonly killed by irrespon. sible guardsmen.

If they were not called on for a day, or days, or a week of continuous pounding, as in the case of infantry, they were far more frequently engaged in light fighting, that brought its casualties, and far more exposed on advanced outpost to the sudden onslaught of the enemy's enterprising cavalry or infantry.

An examination of the History of Individuals in a subsequent part of this book will show that of the gallant cavalcade of young Kentuckians who mustered under Helm, and those enlisted in 1862 to complete the second organization, comparatively few were left to stack arms when the final disaster came.

Particular affairs in which but few individuals or a small detachment engaged cannot in general be noticed in detail; but a circumstance ought to be mentioned here with a view to supplementing the account of the fight at Cy Hutcherson's, in Barren County, found on pages 52 and 53. Since giving the partial list of men on guard at the house that night, it has been ascertained that four men of Co. E, First Cavalry (old organization), were among the number, having accompanied Mr. Hutcherson on his return that afternoon from his visit to Col. Lewis to ask for protection. These were Micajah Mayfield and Richard H. Isaacs, of Jefferson County, and Richard F. Stonestreet and F. M. Scrimsher, of Oldham County. It is noted in the account given, as alluded to above, that several of the members of Co. E went up from Horse Cave next day, but there was no further trouble.

When Gen. Sidney Johnston began to mobilize troops at different points along his line of operations in Kentucky, Col. Helm with his command was connected with the Central Army, at Bowling Green. He was diligent in his oversight of the men   arming, drilling, requiring care and training of horses, providing every necessary equipment    and sending out scouting parties; but few noteworthy events occurred during the autumn and early winter.